System and apparatus for performing broadcast and localcast communications

Abstract

Described is a communication system including mobile communication devices. In the described system, the mobile devices may be wrist-worn watches such as are in common use today, except that the watches are specially configured to receive data in a “broadcast” mode and transmit and/or receive data in a “localcast” mode. The localcast mode includes the ability to transmit and receive data in a peer-to-peer fashion, allowing mobile devices to communicate directly with each other. The ability to combine two of these communication modes in a small, integrated and hence inexpensive and low-power package provides many advantages over existing personal communication device solutions.

1. A mobile device, comprising:
 a real-time component comprising:
 a system timing function, 
 a real-time event dispatching function, and 
 a digital radio that is configured to receive information content in a localcast-mode and in a broadcast-mode, and to transmit information content in a localcast-mode; wherein the broadcast mode operates on a subcarrier of a wide area transmitting channel and the localcast mode operates on a directly modulated main channel that is different from the wide area transmitting channel at which the broadcast mode operates; 
 
 a digital control and processing circuit that generates receive commands in response to tracking information received on broadcast mode such that the tracking information is received on a different channel than the mobile device transmits on, wherein the receive commands describe a receive frequency, antenna tuning parameters, and a duration of capture time; 
 an antenna assembly configured to be tuned in response to the receive commands; 
 a microcomputer assembly; 
 a random access memory; 
 a nonvolatile memory; and 
 a microprocessor-controlled user interface. 
 
   
   
     2. The mobile device in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is further configured to be worn on a person's wrist. 
   
   
     3. The mobile device in  claim 2 , wherein the mobile device is further configured to display the current time. 
   
   
     4. The mobile device in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is further configured to operate within a paging unit. 
   
   
     5. The mobile device in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is further configured to operate within a cellular telephone. 
   
   
     6. The mobile device in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is further configured to transmit and receive information from a second mobile device. 
   
   
     7. The mobile device in  claim 6 , wherein the mobile device is further configured to transmit and receive information from a plurality of mobile devices. 
   
   
     8. The mobile device in  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is further configured to receive local information from a second mobile device. 
   
   
     9. A mobile device, comprising:
 means for receiving a signal that is arranged to receive a first broadcast signal from a broadcast transmitter when the mobile device is in a broadcast mode, is arranged to receive a first localcast signal from a localcast transmitter when the mobile device is in a localcast mode, is arranged to generate receive commands in response to tracking information received when the device is in the broadcast mode such that the tracking information is received on a different channel than the mobile device transmits on, wherein the receive commands describe a receive frequency, antenna tuning parameters, and a duration of capture time, and is arranged to be tuned in response to the receive commands; and 
 means for transmitting a signal that is arranged to transmit information from the mobile device when the device is in the localcast mode. 
 
   
   
     10. The mobile device in  claim 9 , wherein the means for receiving a signal further comprises a transceiver that is arranged to test a selected station for a main channel signal and a subcarrier signal. 
   
   
     11. The mobile device in  claim 10 , wherein the transceiver is further arranged to capture a packet from the acquired main channel signal or the acquired subcarrier signal. 
   
   
     12. The mobile device in  claim 10 , wherein the means for transmitting a signal is further arranged to transmit the information to another mobile device over a localcast communication link. 
   
   
     13. The mobile device in  claim 9 , wherein the means for receiving a signal is further arranged to detect loss of a signal and signal quality. 
   
   
     14. The mobile device in  claim 9 , wherein the means for transmitting a signal is further arranged to transmit the information when the mobile device is in localcast mode. 
   
   
     15. A mobile device, comprising:
 a digital processing circuit that generates receive commands in response to received tracking information received when the device is in a broadcast mode such that the tracking information is received on a different channel than the mobile device transmits on, wherein the receive commands describe a receive frequency and a duration of capture time; 
 an antenna assembly configured to be tuned in response to the receive commands; 
 a transceiver that is coupled to the antenna assembly, wherein the transceiver is arranged to provide communication over the antenna assembly in one of the broadcast mode and a localcast mode; wherein the broadcast mode operates on a wide area channel and the localcast mode operates on a local area channel that is different from the wide area channel; and 
 a microcomputer assembly that is coupled to the antenna assembly, wherein the microcomputer assembly is arranged to control operation of the transceiver in both the broadcast mode and the localcast mode. 
 
   
   
     16. The mobile device in  claim 15 , wherein the transceiver further comprises a radio that is arranged to receive FM radio signals across the antenna assembly, wherein the FM radio signals are FM subcarrier signals when the transceiver is in the broadcast mode and the FM radio signals are locally-unused portions of an FM band when the transceiver is in the localcast mode. 
   
   
     17. The mobile device in  claim 15 , wherein the transceiver further comprises a digital signal processor that is coupled to the microcomputer assembly and is arranged to perform control, scheduling and post-processing tasks for the transceiver. 
   
   
     18. The mobile device in  claim 15 , wherein the transceiver further comprises a real time device that includes a radio and is arrange to provide the radio operation and the system clock for the transceiver.